Until recently known as the Mrieħel Industrial Estate, the area has been given a makeover and a new identity and is now the Central Business District. The Government had detailed a budget for this zone which contains about 250 different enterprises. The Central Business District Foundation was established to make the zone more attractive to commercial activities and visitors.

The Foundation came into being two years ago, an entity which was an amalgamation between Government and private enterprise and paved the way for the Centre and will now oversee its management. The Foundation coordinated operations involving the Local Council and a number of Government entities to promote a better organisation of the zone.

The Minister for Investment and Enterprises Dr Chris Cardona said the purpose of the new identity is that of upgrading the area’s status in a zone in which over 6,000 people are employed.

He said the area covers 250 economic operators ranging from retain outlets to industries, ‘high end’ manufacturers as well as indigenous trades and has been functioning over the last 50 years. He said the current vision is that of an area that makes operators wishing to start-up here envious of those that already operate here and this applies to both locally and foreign prospective operators. The whole scope is the regeneration of the zone.

The Minister had words of praise for the Foundation particularly for the way it has been handling the management of waste refuse as well as improving road lighting maintenance and the maintenance of four main roads at a cost of €380,000.

William Wait, who is now steering the Foundation instead of Louis Farrugia, said the Foundation will continue improving roads and managing waste as well as greater access for public transport, the embellishment of the zone and the enforcement of regulations. He appealed to all enterprises operating in the zone to join the Foundation.